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Re: Rick Sweet on Francisco, Frazier and Valaika

Francisco is a better hitter than people realize, in my opinion. He's got good hitter's hands, knows how to put the bat on the ball and use all fields, more so than the typical big power guy. I really like what I've seen from his ABs so far in the majors.

"Baseball is a very, very complex business. It's more of a people business than most businesses." - Bob Castellini

Re: Rick Sweet on Francisco, Frazier and Valaika

Originally Posted by lollipopcurve

Francisco is a better hitter than people realize, in my opinion. He's got good hitter's hands, knows how to put the bat on the ball and use all fields, more so than the typical big power guy. I really like what I've seen from his ABs so far in the majors.

Francisco hitting has never been a question. With that said, Francisco has shown some moments at the major league level where it seems he 'gets it' as far as waiting for your pitch.

Re: Rick Sweet on Francisco, Frazier and Valaika

Francisco hitting has never been a question. With that said, Francisco has shown some moments at the major league level where it seems he 'gets it' as far as waiting for your pitch.

Are you kidding me? He's been dismissed for years, inlcuding by you, based on his K/BB ratio. While folks have been penciling in Danny Dorn for the LF job in Cincy, Francisco has been exiled to the island of Prospects Without Plate Discipline.

Rare power, combined with the ability to barrel up the ball. Meanwhile the K/BB ratio has improved steadily. Hasn't been enough to get him much acceptance as a guy bound for the bigs. You seriously cannot deny that.

"Baseball is a very, very complex business. It's more of a people business than most businesses." - Bob Castellini

Re: Rick Sweet on Francisco, Frazier and Valaika

Originally Posted by lollipopcurve

Are you kidding me? He's been dismissed for years, inlcuding by you, based on his K/BB ratio. While folks have been penciling in Danny Dorn for the LF job in Cincy, Francisco has been exiled to the island of Prospects Without Plate Discipline.

Rare power, combined with the ability to barrel up the ball. Meanwhile the K/BB ratio has improved steadily. Hasn't been enough to get him much acceptance as a guy bound for the bigs. You seriously cannot deny that.

Some of us have been pro-JF. Having seen him now there are a few things that stand out and explain his numbers a bit.

As Dusty said, JF has huge plate coverage. He can hit the outside pitch. This impacts his walk numbers. He gets to pitches others can't, and hits them hard. The trade off is fewer walks but more hard hit balls.

The guy also can hit with two strikes. He stays alive well, fouls them off, and usually hits the ball. This explains his declining K rate over the years. Phillips is similar -- gets into a two strike hole often, but K rate is acceptable.

What Francisco needs to learn, like Bruce, like many other young hitters, is adjustment to the off speed stuff. Not unusual for a 22 year old. I've seen some improvement on it in the few weeks he's been with the Reds.

Last night, JF pinch hit a lineout to left field. I thought it was going to take the fielder's glove off, it was hit so hard.

From everything I've read, he has a strong desire to do well. Really rooting for this guy. Hope the Reds keep him around.

Re: Rick Sweet on Francisco, Frazier and Valaika

Originally Posted by lollipopcurve

Are you kidding me? He's been dismissed for years, inlcuding by you, based on his K/BB ratio. While folks have been penciling in Danny Dorn for the LF job in Cincy, Francisco has been exiled to the island of Prospects Without Plate Discipline.

No, I am not kidding you. No one has doubted his hitting ability, but his batting ability. Everyone knows that when he puts the ball in play he can make things happen. The issue has always been the ability to find first base, or the lack of it based on his K/BB (if you are going to walk 4% of the time you need to strike out 10% of the time or less to post a solid OBP, not 20% where Francisco has been).

Rare power, combined with the ability to barrel up the ball. Meanwhile the K/BB ratio has improved steadily. Hasn't been enough to get him much acceptance as a guy bound for the bigs. You seriously cannot deny that.

You seriously can't deny that if he doesn't walk more or strike out less than he has in the minors that he will severely struggle to OPS .800 because he will struggle to OBP .310.

Re: Rick Sweet on Francisco, Frazier and Valaika

So does anyone know who is going through arbritration after the season?
I've heard Micah Owings might have to go through it but do you really give him a raise after the season he had or do u just let him go?

I think you look at next years lineup looking like
1B Joey Votto-he's gonna stay there all year.Yonder isnt moving him
3B-Scott Rolen-Juan Francisco will eventually get more starts after Rolen is gone
LF Johnny Gomes-I think you give Yonder Alonso the shot to be Gomes out of the position during the year
CF-Drew Stubbs/Chris Dickerson
RF-Jay Bruce-the job is his no matter how bad he plays/Wladimir Balentien
C-Ryan Hanigan is the backup no matter what/Drop Tatum & Miller.Don't Pick up Hernandez's option/Acquire Doumit and Duke for Valaika, Maloney, and Bray
SS-This position is what is keeping the reds going any further in the division just like the starting pitchers/ I think the Reds sign a FA SS either Felipe Lopez or they acquire JJ Hardy or Yunel Escobar/Paul Janish will stay with the team for the bench
2B-Brandon Phillips is the 2B next year and beyond

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